"I'm here. Don't be afraid, Lady Xu."
Qin Gong secretly heaved a sigh of relief. He helped Xu Yanxiao up and respectfully distanced himself from her.
Xu Yanxiao couldn't describe how she felt. The moment she saw Qin Gong, she realized that all the negative emotions that had filled her chest had vanished.
She lowered her head and asked in a confident tone, "Those pirates outside … did you bring them here?"
Qin Gong vaguely responded.
"Yes, I was ordered to capture Duke Xinzhao's family, but … but there are some matters that I can't use my real identity."
For example, raiding other people's property.
Xu Yanxiao and Xu Bei had a grudge, but she was still a daughter of the Xu family. She couldn't bring herself to say such things.
Fortunately, Xu Yanxiao didn't ask what the 'matters' were. She only felt that the fear that had surrounded her had all transformed into a warm sense of security.
"Then … will it be alright for you to appear in front of me like this?"
Although Xu Yanxiao was young, her temperament had matured rapidly after the series of major changes.
Ever since Yang Si had given her some pointers, she felt more guilty towards Qin Gong.
Qin Gong had taken care of her on account of his former master, but she was still his burden at the end of the day.
She wasn't a heartless person. She had seen all of Qin Gong's sacrifices.
Hearing his words, Xu Yanxiao couldn't help but worry for him.
"Logically speaking, I shouldn't have appeared to avoid being recognized. It wouldn't be good if I caused trouble for the lord …" Qin Gong said sincerely. "But … but I'm really worried about you. You look so pale and I feel anxious. I'm afraid you'll do something stupid …"
Qin Gong had noticed Xu Yanxiao long ago, but it wasn't convenient for him to show himself.
He had been secretly observing her just now. Seeing her deathly still expression, he couldn't help it.
He decided to cover his face and used the excuse of sending away the pirates on guard nearby. He then secretly pulled Xu Yanxiao out to say a few words to comfort her.
Don't be afraid. You still have him.
Xu Yanxiao's cheeks reddened. A faint blush appeared on her pale face.
An indescribable throbbing spread through her chest. Even she couldn't describe what she was feeling.
She had never thought that Qin Gong was so good-looking. She couldn't get enough of him. Coincidentally, Qin Gong was the same.
"I'm fine," Xu Yanxiao said. "Don't, don't delay your business because of me."
Even though Xu Yanxiao knew that Qin Gong wouldn't abandon his work for personal reasons, she still couldn't help but remind him. The temperature of her burning cheeks didn't subside.
"Mm, don't worry, Madame Xu."
Qin Gong didn't have much time, so it wasn't convenient for him to say too much to Xu Yanxiao.
Although there was no one around, the pirates standing guard on the other boats saw it.
Young people admire Ai, young girls yearn for love, the sweet atmosphere around the two could be smelled even across the two boats.
"Lady Xu …"
Just as Xu Yanxiao was about to sneak back to the main group, Qin Gong unexpectedly called out to her. She turned around, but he did not know what to say.
After a while, Qin Gong stuttered, "In the future, I will protect you …"
Before she could take a step, Qin Gong's face had already turned red as he nimbly flipped down the deck of the lower deck.
Xu Yanxiao suddenly thought of something and blushed. Her temperature didn't go down for a long time.
The pirates plundered all the money and goods on the other boats, moving box by box onto their own boats, and retreated in an orderly manner.
Xu Yanxiao had long since taken a tranquilizer and was no longer afraid of the pirates.
On the contrary, when the pirates looked at her, they were like mice seeing a cat, wishing they could stick close to the wall.
Occasionally, a few bold pirates tried to sneak a peek at her, but before they could do so, they were taught a lesson by the wily old fox beside them.
Seeing this, Xu Yanxiao burst into laughter, revealing a smile that she hadn't seen in a long time.
The pirates didn't rob people or women. They only took away all the valuables, not leaving behind any food or water bags.
Helpless, the people who had escaped from the disaster could only paddle the oars back with bitter expressions.
Without food and water, they couldn't escape far.
Unexpectedly, before their boats could reach the shore, rows of armored soldiers with a murderous aura surrounded the entire pier.
Everyone was in a dilemma.
Madame Xu Bei's expression was so gloomy that it could drip water.
These large boats not only carried Xu Bei's wives, concubines, and children, but also the families of many important officials.
If they reached the shore now, it would be the same as walking into a trap. If they didn't, she was afraid that the enemy would go crazy and shoot the boats down.
A bunch of pampered noble ladies, which one of them knew how to swim?
They were all landlubbers.
Qin Gong had already changed into his military uniform and gathered the majority of his troops to set up at the pier, waiting for their prey.
He cupped his hands towards the deck of the boats, trying to move them with emotion and reason, hoping that the people on the boats would voluntarily disembark.
We are all civilized people, so we will try our best to solve problems in a civilized way.
The few boats were filled with women, children, and old. Faced with Qin Gong's coaxing and threats, they didn't know how to respond.
A young, beautiful woman said, "Everyone is exhausted, and the wind is cold on the river. It's not advisable to stay for long. If we stay for too long, we might get sick. It's better to reach the shore as soon as possible. I don't think Liu Xi would dare to risk universal condemnation and slaughter us. "
In this era, there were still moral principles. On the battlefield, there were some unspoken rules.
Dukes could fight however they wanted, but they couldn't shamelessly attack their families.
If a man lost in battle, that was his business. The women in the backyard could not be implicated.
If Xu Fei's wife and concubines hadn't encountered the bandits, they wouldn't have ended up like this.
No matter how much Xu Bei hated Xu Fei, he still had to take care of his cousin's widows for the rest of their lives. He couldn't let them be humiliated.
Madam Xu Bei was hesitant. She really didn't want to disembark.
At least there was a moment of peace on the boat. If she went ashore, wouldn't she become a captive and her life would be in the hands of others?
"I'm afraid this isn't appropriate. Let's wait and see."
Madam Xu Bei declined tactfully. The beautiful woman didn't show any displeasure and returned to her circle.
This woman was Han Yu's wife. She came from an aristocratic family. Her calm demeanor was more like a matriarch than Madam Xu Bei.
The two parties confronted each other for a long time. In the end, it was the people on the boats who gave in first.
They didn't have water or food, so they couldn't hold on for long.
Qin Gong sneered and sent people to send all the families back to their own residences. At the end, he mentioned one more thing.
Finally, he said, "There have been frequent battles recently. The bandits are running amok and disturbing the neighbors. Madams, if there is nothing important, don't leave your residences to avoid the bandits. I will do my best to apprehend the bandits as soon as possible and ensure the safety of all the madams. "
Qin Gong spoke in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing, but no one bought it.
Many people were scared out of their wits. When their feet stepped on solid mud, they couldn't get used to it for a while and almost fell to the ground.
Qin Gong sent people to escort them. When his gaze fell on Xu Yanxiao, his eyes were filled with warmth.
Cheng Yuan teased, "She's young, she's really envious of others."
Qin Gong laughed foolishly. "It's still too early to talk about this. We'll talk about other things when she reaches marriageable age."
Cheng Yuan sighed.
The whole world reeked of love. Only his lord and a certain bronze frog still carried the fragrance of a single dog.
Cruel.
In the distance, Wei Ci sneezed. Jiang Pengji rubbed her nose.
Jiang Pengji mumbled, "Huang Bogao still misses me?"
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